This is the St Francis Church, the first European Church to be built in India, and is located at Fort Cochin, the first European settlement in India. Built in 1503 by the Portuguese (first led by Alphonso d'Alburquerque), just 5 years after Vasco da Gama became the first European to discover the sea route to India when he landed in Calicut 1498. BTW, da Gama first visited Fort Cochin in 1502, and during another visit there in 1524, he died and was buried in this church. 14 yrs later, his body was removed to Portugal.
There you go, all the big time Portuguese jokers were there, but enough of history lesson! The church faces the beach, some 300m away, where the Chinese fishing nets are. Nice ambience especially in late afternoon, with houses and playing fields (incl a cricket pitch). With the low sun beating on its bright facade, for a moment I thought I was staring at a church in a Zorro movie. :-)
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St Francis Church
Built in the year 1503
1503 to 1663 - Portugese Period (Roman Catholic Church)
1664 to 1804 - Dutch Period (Dutch Reformed Church)
1804 to 1947 - British Period (Anglican Church)
1947 onwards - Church of South India
1503 to 1663 - Portugese Period (Roman Catholic Church)
1664 to 1804 - Dutch Period (Dutch Reformed Church)
1804 to 1947 - British Period (Anglican Church)
1947 onwards - Church of South India
